Getting bumped at airport?

[Lewisc]

Previous poster is correct, SW never volunteers cash. I've heard a GA offer $200 in cash but she then added the cash is in the form of a travel voucher.

I've been on a flight where SW was aggressively looking for a volunteer, even while I was boarding in the A group. SW generally gets enough volunteers.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you want to make a habit of scoring bumps, you should learn about the terms and conditions that go with the various vouchers from different airlines. You should be able to inspect samples from a gate agent or customer service agent who is not busy with a line of other customers.

Then if an opportunity comes along you can quickly decide whether to volunteer.

There are times when, should you be traveling on business, you should insist that an involuntary bump be treated as involuntary even though the compensation may look more generous for a voluntary bump. Then, if your boss finds out you missed a meeting, he cannot accuse you of scoring bumps at the cost of company business.

 

[ccw]

When I check the Delta website for my Nov. flight, it looks like they are still acepting reservations even tho there have not been seats available on it for a couple of weeks (per their VIEW SEATS map). I assume that means it is oversold? My reservation was changed by Delta to this flight over a month ago when my original (and preferred) flight was cancelled. Do they ever REINSTATE cancelled flights? Pretty much every flight on Delta on my travel days is sold out(still about ten days away)...going solo this time so thinking a bump MIGHT be doable but certainly not expecting one.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

When I check the Delta website for my Nov. flight, it looks like they are still acepting reservations even tho there have not been seats available on it for a couple of weeks (per their VIEW SEATS map). I assume that means it is oversold? My reservation was changed by Delta to this flight over a month ago when my original (and preferred) flight was cancelled. Do they ever REINSTATE cancelled flights? Pretty much every flight on Delta on my travel days is sold out(still about ten days away)...going solo this time so thinking a bump MIGHT be doable but certainly not expecting one.

When is your date & times that you are flying from? By any chance are you flying home on Jersey week Nov 12? I happened to be, & I am flying into LGA. All the flights seem to be sold out that are non stop. My DD & I are hoping to get bummed

If you go into Delta's website & look under my itineraries then put your conformation number, & then look for change view existing seats, you can see if the plane is filled up & if there is any open seats. All airlines overbook, expecting many no shows

Let us know how you make out

Patricia

 

[ccw]

Yes, it was by checking the Delta website that I saw that the seats are all gone. My dates are earlier in Nov. than yours and I am flying Raleigh NC to MCO. We'll see what happens!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't think SWA ever gives cash, only vouchers and drafts

I was speaking in terms of other airlines, as I have not flown SWA in years.

I also never volunteer to be bumped.

 

[adrock1976]

When I check the Delta website for my Nov. flight, it looks like they are still acepting reservations even tho there have not been seats available on it for a couple of weeks (per their VIEW SEATS map). I assume that means it is oversold? My reservation was changed by Delta to this flight over a month ago when my original (and preferred) flight was cancelled. Do they ever REINSTATE cancelled flights? Pretty much every flight on Delta on my travel days is sold out(still about ten days away)...going solo this time so thinking a bump MIGHT be doable but certainly not expecting one.

Not necessarily. You would have to call the airline directly to see if the flight is oversold. Most airlines will not allow every seat to be pre-assigned before deaparture. They need to have the flexibility to move people around, accomodate special needs, etc. on the day of departure. They will usually leave a certain percentage of seats blocked off so they cannot be assigned. You can still buy seats, but you will not get a seat assignment until check in.

 

[MouseyMin]

Does anyone know what happens to checked luggage if you get bumped (or volunteer)? I'm worried that it will go on the original flight and they will leave it out in the luggage area since no one is there to claim it. I'll only volunteer if I have carry-on only.

 

[adrock1976]

Does anyone know what happens to checked luggage if you get bumped (or volunteer)? I'm worried that it will go on the original flight and they will leave it out in the luggage area since no one is there to claim it. I'll only volunteer if I have carry-on only.

Almost ALWAYS, the luggage will go on without you. They are releasing seats at the last minute and there is no time to find your luggage under the plane to pull it. Honestely, there is no reason to worry about your luggage going ahead. If it is not claimed it will usually be pulled and put aside until you arrive and claim it. You should not worry about it; it is actually nice to get right off the next flight and not have to wait for your bags like everyone else.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It's always a good idea to let the boss know in advance you may NOT be back on a certain day if you plan to seek bumps. I am never looking to get bumped, but as a stand-by passenger I pray the flight is not full. I will start my return flight a couple of days before I am supposed to be back in the office, depending on what the flights look like. Even if a flight has open seats, I may be competing with other stand-by passengers and deadheading crew for those seats.

Just plan ahead!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

http://www.bumptracker.com/

I came accross the above link that I thought was interesting

 

[salmoneous]

I've been on a flight where SW was aggressively looking for a volunteer, even while I was boarding in the A group. SW generally gets enough volunteers.

I've never seen them be aggressive, but I have seen them be goofy, in the way SW FA's are allowed to be goofy.

Ladies and Gentlemen - our plane is overbooked today and we are seeking volunteers to be re-ticketed on the 11:30 flight. As a thank you, we are offering volunteers 4 drink tickets as compensation. You aren't going to get an offer like that from Delta folks. OK, how about 6 drink tickets What do you say people?

I think the actual offer was a $200 voucher, but folks were lining up at the mere mention of those beloved drink tickets.
.

 

[zjnawsaks]

We were fortunate on our second DW trip from Orlando to Philadelphia to volunteer to be bumped (all 5 of us) on the flight home. The lady in front of us was so nasty and rude USAir offered us two tickets each, along a voucher for dinner and hotel, just to be rid of her. The only problem was that all the flights had to be taken on USAir--not so bad for us since we have a son who travels on USAir monthly. I'd do it again. Best to happen at the end of trip though.

 

[NotUrsula]

SWA doesn't offer cash for volunteers, but they do pay it if they have to do any involuntary bumps -- the law requires cash in those cases if the passenger asks for it. The requirement is only a max. of $400, though.

In 17 yrs. of FF on SWA, I've only seen involuntary bumps on two occasions -- both of them happened at Midway.

 

[adrock1976]

SWA doesn't offer cash for volunteers, but they do pay it if they have to do any involuntary bumps -- the law requires cash in those cases if the passenger asks for it. The requirement is only a max. of $400, though.

In 17 yrs. of FF on SWA, I've only seen involuntary bumps on two occasions -- both of them happened at Midway.

You're right...it is extremely rare that they do not eventually get a volunteer to give up their seat.

 

[boswellnakia]

From the department of transportation's report of airline bumps, SWA had over 50,000 bumps in the first six months of this year. I would have never thought it was that many. And they were up this year over the same period last year. I haven't seen that many myself, but this is the report that SWA and the other airlines have to file so it comes from their information.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

When you get bumped, what happends to your checked in luggage? Do they take it off, or does it go without out you? Is it safe if your left behind & the luggage get's there before you?

 

[adrock1976]

When you get bumped, what happends to your checked in luggage? Do they take it off, or does it go without out you? Is it safe if your left behind & the luggage get's there before you?

99% of the time I would say, your luggage goes on the original flight. There is no time to locate and pull bags out from under the plane, since the bumping takes place usually right before they shut the doors.

I have NEVER had a problem with luggage that went on ahead. When it is not claimed, it is usally pulled aside and stored until you get there. Also, depending on when you get to your destination...say you are on the next flight, your luggage is already waiting for you, and everyone else has to wait at the baggage carousel until their luggage comes off.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

99% of the time I would say, your luggage goes on the original flight. There is no time to locate and pull bags out from under the plane, since the bumping takes place usually right before they shut the doors.

I have NEVER had a problem with luggage that went on ahead. When it is not claimed, it is usally pulled aside and stored until you get there. Also, depending on when you get to your destination...say you are on the next flight, your luggage is already waiting for you, and everyone else has to wait at the baggage carousel until their luggage comes off.

Ok that's all I need to know. Thanks for the info

 

[NotUrsula]

Originally posted by adrock1976:
Also, depending on when you get to your destination...say you are on the next flight, your luggage is already waiting for you, and everyone else has to wait at the baggage carousel until their luggage comes off.

Which is great UNLESS taking the bump means arriving pretty late at night. In many airports, if your flight gets in after about 10:30 pm and your luggage is locked in the airline's lost luggage office, you will have a LONG wait and a lot of hassle trying to find someone who can come unlock the door and let you at your bags.